One of Portland's most famous attractions, this garden showcases thousands of roses with spectacular views of downtown Portland and the surrounding mountains.
Portland, the Columbia River Gorge & the Oregon Coast: Waterfalls, Lighthouses, and Pacific Northwest Wonders
5 Days
This five-day Pacific Northwest adventure combines three of Oregon's most celebrated destinations into one unforgettable journey. Begin among Portland's gardens, historic neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks before following the Historic Columbia River Highway through a landscape of waterfalls and dramatic canyon views. The route then continues west to the rugged Oregon Coast, where towering sea stacks, windswept beaches, historic lighthouses, dramatic headlands, and charming coastal towns create some of the most breathtaking scenery in North America. Organized geographically to minimize driving, this itinerary balances urban exploration, scenic drives, hiking opportunities, and coastal discovery while showcasing the very best of Oregon.
Day 1
Your journey begins in Portland, Oregon's vibrant cultural capital. Today combines historic neighborhoods, stunning gardens, architectural landmarks, and some of the city's most iconic attractions. Surrounded by rivers, forests, and distant mountain views, Portland offers an ideal introduction to the Pacific Northwest.
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Frequently ranked among the finest Japanese gardens outside Japan, this peaceful oasis blends traditional landscaping, water features, and mountain views.
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Perched high above the city, this historic mansion offers one of the best panoramic views of Portland, Mount Hood, and the surrounding region.
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Explore the world's largest independent bookstore before visiting an authentic Chinese garden tucked within Portland's urban core.
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Stroll along the Willamette River and visit the famously tiny Mill Ends Park, one of Portland's most unique landmarks.
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End the day beneath the Gothic towers of Portland's most beautiful bridge before enjoying one of the city's uniquely Portland experiences at the historic Kennedy School.
Day 2
Leave the city behind and enter the Columbia River Gorge, where waterfalls plunge from towering basalt cliffs and scenic viewpoints reveal one of North America's most spectacular river canyons. Today follows the famous Historic Columbia River Highway.
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Begin the day driving America's first scenic highway and enjoy breathtaking views from Crown Point and the historic Vista House high above the Columbia River.
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Visit three of the Gorge's most famous waterfalls, each offering its own unique beauty, from narrow plunges to broad multi-tiered cascades.
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Explore moss-covered canyon trails, waterfalls, and dramatic basalt landscapes that characterize the heart of the Gorge.
Day 3
Today travels west to Oregon's North Coast, where maritime history, dramatic headlands, and iconic beaches define the landscape. This section of the coast perfectly blends history and scenery.
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Explore Oregon's oldest city, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Victorian architecture, maritime heritage, and river views create an unforgettable coastal atmosphere.
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Trace the final stages of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition where the explorers first reached the Pacific Ocean.
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One of Oregon's most iconic destinations, Cannon Beach is famous for its wide sandy shoreline and the towering silhouette of Haystack Rock rising from the Pacific.
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Enjoy dramatic coastal overlooks at Ecola State Park before continuing south through the fertile landscapes surrounding Tillamook.
Day 4
Continue along Oregon's central coast, where rugged cliffs, tide pools, lighthouses, and coastal forests create some of the state's most celebrated scenery.
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A unique collapsed sea cave creates a powerful natural basin where ocean waves churn dramatically below towering cliffs.
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One of the finest viewpoints on the Oregon Coast, Cascade Head offers sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and coastal headlands.
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Towering above the Pacific, Cape Perpetua delivers some of the coast's most spectacular panoramic viewpoints and dramatic shoreline formations.
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Explore one of North America's largest coastal dune systems, where towering sand formations stretch for miles between forest and ocean.
Day 5
The final day explores Oregon's remote South Coast, where dramatic rock formations, pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, and historic lighthouses create some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pacific Northwest.
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This trio of adjoining state parks offers ocean cliffs, gardens, secluded beaches, wildlife viewing, and views of Cape Arago Lighthouse.
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Massive sea stacks rise dramatically from the Pacific Ocean, creating one of the most photographed coastal landscapes in Oregon.
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Explore Oregon's westernmost point, dramatic cliffs, coastal lakes, and fascinating maritime history.
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Widely considered Oregon's most scenic stretch of coastline, Boardman features hidden coves, natural bridges, sea stacks, and dramatic cliffs above the Pacific Ocean.
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End the journey near the California border surrounded by protected offshore islands, rugged coastline, sea stacks, and spectacular sunset views across the Pacific Ocean.